I had mine for 8 months and kept him fat on just mysis and live blackworms. He would eat the mysis, but had to compete with the other fish, so I would hand feed him almost every day with live blackworms. I had two before that didn't make it past 6 months, but I didn't feed them blackworms. I think that unless your tank is really big and has enough food in the LR, then live blackworms are needed. Just my opinion. Kind of a pain, but worth it for these fish.